Hoho's- meh

[nana50]

I know I will get flamed for this but I tried this hotel for the second time. My daughter who has never stayed here was really insistent because of trip advisor reviews. Well I think she will stop trusting their recommendations.

First off as I have said before it is old. It screams 1960's and not in a good way. The grounds are kept up, but the façade, lobby, (tiny) and front desk area need some serious updating. It is kind of sprawling. People claim it is like a hotel because the buildings have interiors, I guess. To me it is a motel and an expensive one at that. For the same price as I would pay at the Sheraton Anaheim (the castle one), I got an old poorly maintained bedroom with an old dowdy bathroom. The place where you place the luggage was all faded, scratched and the varnish coming off. The bathroom floor was chipped and I mean pretty ugly. The rooms were connecting and both in the same condition.

The beds were fine but small. 2 doubles in each room instead of queens. There was music playing until 8:00 p.m. O.K. for most but not for 2 six year old boys dealing with time change. We were in building 4 facing the kids play area.

My daughter loved the pool but 3 of the grandkids got back too late to use it. there is no room service, no shuttle, and no restaurant in the hotel. For this I paid the same price as I would have paid to be pampered. I've tried it twice and don't get it. Seriously except for the kids play area it has nothing to recommend it. The Fairfield for $89.00 next door look a lot nicer.

 

[DizMe]

Yep. I agree with most of what you said. We've had good stays at Hojo's, but that was back when the rooms were $59/night with the Entertainment rate. That was well worth it. Now? Nope. Not for me. I prefer on site to begin with, but if I have to go with a more bargain-priced stay, it isn't going to be Hojo's as they have priced themselves out of that category for me.

 

[sherilaine]

I agree with you, we love their kids suites though, as they are not even 5 years renovated. But a regular double bed room? Nope, there are far better for the price and proximity in my opinion. Actually if we wanted just a room with two Queen beds, we'd stay onsite I think.

 

[nana50]

Oops, I type hoho's instead of Hojo's.

Anyway as to the suites, they are almost impossible to get. I tried months ago. That would have been nice.

 

[sherilaine]

Oops, I type hoho's instead of Hojo's. Anyway as to the suites, they are almost impossible to get. I tried months ago. That would have been nice.

Very true, we booked 10 months out! I thought you typed hoho on purpose and it was funny!!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I really don't think you should get flamed; everybody is entitled to their own opinions and tastes. I am a big fan of Hojos because I have been treated well, it is a step up from a motel to me, and I find the beds comfortable and the rooms clean. I have stayed at Fairfield, Tropicana, Candy Cane, Desert Palms & Suites, Comfort Inn Maingate, PPH, and DLH, but we keep coming back to Hojo because it satisfies our highest priorities which are walking distance, comfortable, no door opening to an outside corridor, and tolerable price taking into account our desire for the first three things on my list. I completely agree with your comments about the bathrooms and really wish they would update those. I also don't feel I would enjoy my stay as much in the room type you described. The double size beds and those buildings in particular have just never appealed to me.

I like the kid suites a lot, and I am not a person interested in pampering and hotel amenities such as room service or onsite restaurants, so Hojo meets my family's and my needs. I also like the deluxe queen rooms in building 2 if I'm trying to save a little money or the kid suites are unavailable, which unfortunately they often are since there are only 14 on property. I do usually have to book them 6-10 months out.

 

[Cheshirecatty]

Nana50….I don't think you should get flamed either!

Your experiences and opinions are as important, and as welcome, as anybody else's on this board! Anyone reading, is free to either take, or disregard what is posted.

Thank you for sharing your feedback.

 

[nannyz]

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. And gee, if everybody loved HoJo, then I would have a hard time reserving my favorite rooms there.

 

[oumagic]

I loved HoJo's when we were there in a view room on the entertainment rate years ago. I think it was $99 and we loved the pool, the beds, the coffee maker and fridge/microwave. That said, I am pricing a July vacation and their price point just has me thinking that I will either spend less for a slightly worse hotel (in my eyes) or just spend more for a nicer hotel. I just think they are at an awkward point with their pricing and location right now. They need a remodel or breakfast or their own shuttle or something to charge $200 per night (my dates the rate is $205.67 for two queens). You look at Park Vue for my dates being $151/night (queen and bunk beds) and it is closer with breakfast. Or, you look at $300/night at Paradise Pier for my dates (the way we are leaning).

We do not have firm dates or plans yet, but HoJo just is no longer on our radar when it was something we loved a few years ago. I do not think you will get flamed because I think there are plenty that feel like you and I do.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I've only ever stayed in building 1, so we've had larger rooms than what you stayed in and were always happy. That said, as much as I love them (and have recommended them to other people), given their current pricing, we won't be staying there again. They are a step above the rest on Harbor Blvd, but not so much to justify their steep prices.

 

[Gisele]

Hey, I like hoho's.

Twinkies? No thank you.



No, really.

 

[smiles33]

I was the HUGEST fan of HoJo's Kids Suites for our first trip (especially since jory29 gave me her reservation at the $99/night rate!). When we went back the second time and paid almost twice as much ($180?), I was less enamored. This upcoming trip, I decided I just couldn't stomach paying $244/night for the Kids' Suite. Yes, I love the space of 2 rooms, but at that rate, it's not a great value anymore. I'd rather pay more to stay on-site (albeit in a single room instead of a suite) and get EMH access when the savings are less.

 

[lucysmom]

Hey, I like hoho's.

Twinkies? No thank you.



No, really.

What about Ding-dongs?!!

 

[Astylla]

What about Ding-dongs?!!

Drake's Devil Dogs are superior to all !

But on topic I don't think you should be flamed at all. With any property there will be fans and critics. Tripadvisor is a good resource but it;s just that - a resource not a guarantee of anything though admittedly I have found the reviews usually fair and true of wherever I stay but your mileage may vary.

I know many are a fan of walking distance but for me honestly that's the least of my thoughts. I much rather prefer getting in my car and not walking after a long day , though if I were to stay on site the experience would counter that for me.

I have seen the rates go up much higher and I feel now it;s not as good value as previously which many of the reviews may be also based on. I hope you find a place that better suits your needs and expectations next time.

 

[DarthMole]

You shouldn't get flamed for your opinion. Many have shared similar opinions in the past. Even when you posted a few weeks back about not wanting to stay there, I don't think you were flamed. To be fair though, some of the things that bug you were well known going in. Like booking a standard room with double beds. If you wanted queens, you could have booked a deluxe or premium room in building 1 or 2.

It think most of what you're saying is accurate. Most of the rooms are dated and it's a very tough sell these days to say they are a good value. We're staying one night coming up on points, then moving to the DLH. If we were not staying at the DLH, we'd most likely try the Fairfield, Best Western, or Desert Inn & Suites. Our last trip (Summer 2012) was $180 per night with taxes and I'm not sure we'd pay that much again without some serious room renovations.

In general, I wish people would stop trying to compare hotels outside reasonable walking distance with ones that are considered walkable. Let's face it, nobody is seeking out any of the close Harbor lodging options for their amenities. Far above all else, they are coveted due to their location and the only fair comparison is between each other, not some 4-star hotel near the convention center.

 

[cardramblues]

So we are heading out Sat. on our first trip to DLR and staying at the HOHO...errr...HOJO. Any room location recommendations? or other tips? We have 2 rooms and a 13,11 and 8 yr old.

Not trying to hijack the thread, but it seems we have some good expertise on the HOJO gathered here.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Disney Dudette]

I agree with you Nana50. We tried it 3 times and all three times were flops for us. Definetly overpiced for what you get these days without the retro/entertainment rates they used to give.
Our #1 complaint was cleanliness. Our housekeepers did a horrible job... blood on our sheets that we asked to be changed, and they were just flipped and rotated, gunk all over the bathroom sink, the shower backed up to my ankles, and the air conditioner broke and it took a really long time for someone to repair it.
I thought we were the only ones that were unhappy with HoJo. Most people on the Dis seem very fond of HoJo.

 

[Disney Dudette]

So we are heading out Sat. on our first trip to DLR and staying at the HOHO...errr...HOJO. Any room location recommendations? or other tips? We have 2 rooms and a 13,11 and 8 yr old.

Not trying to hijack the thread, but it seems we have some good expertise on the HOJO gathered here.

Thanks for any help.

I would recommend Building 1. It is the closest building to the enterance and the rooms are spacious... at least the 3 we were in. We were facing the garden area 2 of our visits, and the freeway another visit. We preferred facing the garden/walkway area for obvious reasons. I really hope your family enjoys your trip and you enjoy your stay. I know a lot of Disers speak highly of this hotel. We just happened to not have a very good experience. I hope yours is wonderful!

 

[DharmaLou]

No flaming, but we were very happy with our experience. Our room was large and quiet, it had a microwave - which none of the DLR properties have - along with the fridge and coffee maker, and I didn't find the lobby to be small.

I don't have huge expectations of hotels, just that the room is clean and quiet, and it met those expectations. We had plenty of room for a family of 3 to spread out in.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

So we are heading out Sat. on our first trip to DLR and staying at the HOHO...errr...HOJO. Any room location recommendations? or other tips? We have 2 rooms and a 13,11 and 8 yr old.

Not trying to hijack the thread, but it seems we have some good expertise on the HOJO gathered here.

Thanks for any help.

What room type did you get? I would suggest building 1, but it may not have your room type. I've heard good things about building 2, but have never stayed in that one myself

I agree with you Nana50. We tried it 3 times and all three times were flops for us. Definetly overpiced for what you get these days without the retro/entertainment rates they used to give.
Our #1 complaint was cleanliness. Our housekeepers did a horrible job... blood on our sheets that we asked to be changed, and they were just flipped and rotated, gunk all over the bathroom sink, the shower backed up to my ankles, and the air conditioner broke and it took a really long time for someone to repair it.
I thought we were the only ones that were unhappy with HoJo. Most people on the Dis seem very fond of HoJo.

Even though a lot of us are agreeing it's overpriced, I have to say I think your experience was the exception, not the norm. Our rooms have always been spotless and housekeeping has always done a fabulous job.